A multi-function wire stripping band tool generally for electricians that has a wire stripping system for a controlled cut and strip of the insulation from a wire. The tool includes an elongated body member having a longitudinal cavity and a transverse opening therein which communicates with the longitudinal cavity and one end of the body member. A stationary cutting blade is disposed in the inner end of the longitudinal cavity, and a movable cutting blade is movably mounted within an upper end of the longitudinal cavity. A spring is disposed between and engaged with a push button actuator so as to urge the movable blade to an open and retracted position. The wire stripping system is engaged with a handle region of the hand tool, and permits stripping in a direction that is perpendicular a longitudinal axis of the multi-function hand tool. The wire stripping system may be used from either side of the hand tool, and may be provided with a plurality of first and second operably engaged housings for securing a number of tool bit members.
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17. A kit for providing a multi-function wire stripping hand tool, said kit comprising:
a hand tool having an elongated handle portion and a coupling member;
a plurality of tool members;
a storage container having a plurality of cavities for housing said hand tool and said tool members; and
a wire stripping mechanism, comprising:
an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle;
first and second blade members; and
a spring action member disposed between said actuator and said first end;
wherein said coupling member is configured for removably receiving at least one of said plurality of tool members.
30. A kit for providing a multi-function wire stripping hand tool, said kit comprising:
a hand tool having an elongated handle portion and a coupling member;
a plurality of tool members;
a storage container having a plurality of cavities for housing said hand tool and said plurality of components; and
a wire stripping mechanism, comprising:
an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle;
first and second blade members;
a spring mechanism disposed relative between said actuator and said first end; and
a retaining member for securing said actuator and said spring on said first end;
wherein said coupling member is configured for removably receiving at least one of said plurality of tool members.
27. A multi-function wire stripping tool, said tool comprising:
an elongated handle member having a longitudinal bore in communication with a bore therein, said longitudinal bore communicating with one end of said handle member;
a first cutting blade disposed at an inner end of said longitudinal bore, a second cutting blade mounted within said longitudinal bore, said second cutting blade being positioned for an overlapping relation to said first cutting blade; and
an actuator connected to said second cutting blade with a spring mechanism relative to said actuator and said handle member for urging said second cutting blade to an open position, said first and second blades each having curved cutting edges defining an opening therebetween aligned with said bore when said second blade is in said open position.
34. A driving hand tool, said hand tool comprising:
a handle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal cavity therein, said first end having a bore therethrough;
a plurality of tool bit members;
a coupling member having a proximate end disposed in and extending from said first end of said handle, said coupling member having a distal end for receiving an end of at least one of said plurality of tool bits;
a wire stripping mechanism, comprising:
an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle;
first and second blade members;
a spring mechanism disposed proximate said actuator and said first end; and
a retaining member for securing said actuator and said spring on said first end; and
at least one of said tool members, further comprising:
a wire-bending geometry for receiving and bending an external wire during a use.
21. A kit for providing a multi-function wire stripping hand tool, said kit comprising:
a hand tool having an elongated handle portion and a coupling member;
at least one tool member;
a storage container for housing said hand tool and said tool member; and
a wire stripping mechanism, comprising:
an actuator rotatably positioned with respect to said handle;
a first blade member positioned on said handle proximate a bounded opening therein for receiving a sheathed wire end to be stripped;
said actuator rotatably guiding a portion of said sheathed wire end and aiding a stripping of a sheathing from said sheathed wire end during a use thereof;
a guiding profile on a wall of said actuator proximate said bounded opening for urging said sheathing on said sheathed wire toward said first blade during said use to aid a trimming of said sheathing;
and said coupling member is configured for removably receiving said at least one tool member.
1. A multi-function wire stripping hand tool, said hand tool comprising:
a handle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal cavity therein, said first end having a transverse bore therethrough;
at least one tool bit member;
a coupling member having a proximate end disposed in and extending from said first end of said handle, said coupling member having a distal end for receiving an end of said at least one tool bit member; and
a wire stripping mechanism, comprising:
an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle;
first and second blade members;
a spring action member disposed between said actuator and said first end, said spring member for urging said second blade member away from said first blade member to an open position;
wherein the first and second blade members are squeezably engageable within said cavity upon actuation of said actuator to engage a wire and circumferentially sever a sheathing on said wire.
23. A multi-function wire stripping hand tool, said hand tool comprising:
a handle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal cavity therein, said first end having a bore therethrough;
a plurality of tool bit members;
a coupling member having a proximate end disposed in and extending from said first end of said handle, said coupling member having a distal end for receiving an end of at least one of said plurality of tool bits; and
a wire stripping mechanism, comprising:
an actuator positioned with respect to said handle;
first and second blade members;
a spring mechanism disposed between said actuator and said first end, said spring mechanism for urging said second blade member to an open position; and
a retaining member for securing said actuator and said spring on said first end;
wherein first and second blade members are squeezably engageable engaged upon an actuation of said actuator to engage a wire and sever a sheathing on said wire.
9. A multi-function wire stripping tool, said tool comprising:
an elongated handle member having a longitudinal bore in communication with a transverse bore therein, said longitudinal bore communicating with one end of said handle member;
a first cutting blade disposed at an inner end of said longitudinal bore, a second cutting blade mounted within said longitudinal bore, said second cutting blade being positioned with a spring action member for a squeezably engageable relation to said first cutting blade during a use;
an actuator connected to said second cutting blade with a spring disposed between said actuator and said handle member for urging said second cutting blade to an open position, said first and second blades each having curved cutting edges defining an opening therebetween along said transverse bore when said second blade is in said open position;
a coupling member removably engaged with said elongated handle opposite said first and second cutting blades and comprising a unitary one-piece housing having oppositely disposed ends; and
at least one tool bit member releaseably engagable with said coupling member.
33. A wire stripping system in a multi-function hand tool, said system comprising:
a wire stripping member operably disposed within a first end of a handle of a hand tool;
said wire stripping member including an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle, first and second blade members, a spring mechanism disposed between said actuator and said first end, and a retaining member for securing said actuator and said spring mechanism proximate said first end;
said handle defining a hand tool axis;
tool bit members, each tool bit member being formed with oppositely disposed tool bit ends;
a coupling member having a proximate end and a distal end, said coupling member comprising means for removably, non-rotatably, holding said coupling member proximate end in said handle, said coupling member comprises a unitary one-piece first housing having oppositely disposed open ends and two unitary one-piece second housings having oppositely disposed open ends, each of said second housings being slidably non-rotatably received in the respective opposite ends of the first housing, said first tool bit member being slidably disposed in one second housing end, and said second tool bit member being slidably disposed in said other second housing end, whereby each tool bit is alternatively operably disposed in the distal end of said coupling member.
2. The tool according to
3. The tool according to
an exterior wall of said first end is engagingly configured to slide cooperative with an inner end of said actuator.
5. The tool according to
at least one said tool bit member, further comprises:
a wire-bending geometry for bending an external wire during a use thereof.
6. The tool according to
said handle further contains at least one wire bending member.
7. The tool according to
a retaining member securing said actuator and said spring action member on said first end.
8. The tool according to
an exterior wall of said first end is engagingly configured to sliding cooperate with an inner end of said retaining member.
10. The tool according to
said multi-function wire stripping tool further comprises a plurality of tool bit members; and
at least one of said tool bit members, comprises:
a wire-bending geometry for receiving and bending an external wire during a use.
11. The tool according to
12. The tool according to
said handle further contains at least one wire bending member.
13. The tool according to
said handle portion further contains at least one wire bending member.
14. The tool according to
15. The tool according to
said at least one tool member, comprises:
a wire-bending geometry for receiving and bending an external wire during a use.
16. The tool according to
said handle further contains at least one wire bending member.
18. The kit according to
19. The kit according to
20. The kit according to
a retaining member securing said actuator and said spring action member on said first end.
22. The kit according to
25. The tool according to
at least one of said tool bit members, comprises:
a wire-bending geometry for receiving and bending an external wire during a use.
26. The tool according to
said handle further contains at least one wire bending member.
28. The tool according to
said multi-function wire stripping tool further comprises a plurality of tool bit members;
at least one of said tool bit members, comprises:
a wire-bending geometry for receiving and bending an external wire during a use.
29. The tool according to
said handle further contains at least one wire bending member.
31. The tool according to
at least one of said tool members, comprises:
a wire-bending geometry for receiving and bending an external wire during a use.
32. The tool according to
said handle portion further contains at least one wire bending member.
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This application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 14/671,276 filed Mar. 27, 2015 (Allowed), which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/972,757, filed on Mar. 31, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hand tools and more particularly a device for stripping the insulation cover from an insulated wire such as those normally employed for transmitting electrical energy in a building with an improved ergonomic function. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical installer hand tool having a convenient and easy to use wire stripping mechanism for stripping an insulation layer from a wire during use of the hand tool that provides for an improved stripping-motion by a user and results in reduced hand and forearm stress and correspondingly to reduced risk of long term injury through repetitive use created by common wire stripping systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electricians, among others, typically require a number of tools for assisting in the various operations they normally conduct in the ordinary course of business. One of the tools normally required by an electrician is a screwdriver. Also, the electrician normally employs some type of tool, typically a scissor-action type hand tool operably provided with two handles and a crossed pivot point, for aiding in the removal of insulation from an end portion of an insulated wire for enabling the wire to be connected to a terminal post or the like. An electrical wire generally comprises an inner core of conductor that is surrounded by an insulation layer. When the electrical wire is joined to other wires or connected to a terminal, the insulation needs to be removed. The purpose of a wire stripping apparatus is to remove the insulation from around the core of the wire to expose the core of the wire.
Wire strippers or wire stripping devices are used by electricians and other professionals to separate a short segment of insulation from a wire to expose the underlying conducting wire for making connections. For small gauge wires, a wire stripping pliers, utility knife, or other hand tool may typically be used. For larger gauge wires, where the insulation layer is typically thicker and more rigid, it is more difficult to remove with hand tools. Unfortunately, damage may be caused to the underlying conductor when penetrating the insulation layer with a manual cutting tool (such as a wire cutter or knife) due to imprecise cutting depth control. Rather elaborate tools have been previously provided for stripping the insulation from the wire, but these tools can be relatively expensive and have only the single purpose of removing insulation. Thus, such tools are burdensome to carry and occupy a considerable space area within the tool box or wherever it is carried. Additionally, these tools are commonly such scissor-action types as noted in
Also, other known wire stripping devices include the type comprising a pair of V-shaped cutters that are provided opposite to an insulated wire and blades of the cutters are moved toward the insulated wire to cut into the insulation from opposite sides without damaging the core, and the cutters are caused to move in the lengthwise direction of the wire to remove the insulation. According to this type of stripper in which the blades are caused to move in the length of the wire, if cross sectional shapes of wire and/or core are not uniform in the lengthwise direction of wire or if an adhesion between the core and the insulation is strong, it may be difficult to strip the insulation from the wire properly. Moving the blades cutting into the insulation along the lengthwise direction of the wire may result in damage to the core.
Another type of wire stripping device relates to an assisting tool for wire stripping in which a cut is formed in the insulation by using heated blades. In stripping the insulation using this tool, a separate process is required to pull out the insulation from an end of the wire. It is difficult to pull the insulation if the length of the insulation to be removed is short. It is also difficult to twist strands of the core by pulling out the insulation to keep the strands together.
Also known as wire stripping (and cutting) tools are wire stripping knives, generally for the stripping of the outer insulation of a wire from the core portion. Such a wire stripping knife has blade and handle members with the handle member having a forward and rearward portion as well as a base surface. In such a tool, a stripping mechanism is attached to the handle and has both open and closed orientations. The stripping mechanism has an inward surface operatively configured to engage the wire to be stripped where the inward surface of the stripping mechanism cooperates with the base surface of the handle such that when in a closed orientation, either the inward surface or the base surface incises the insulation of the wire from the core portion.
Wire strippers or wire stripping tools have been around since the use of insulation began. One such tool uses a pivoting handle to operate a pair of jaws. The jaws have a wire cutter and a series of cutters designed to fit around and clamp through the insulation of a specific size wire, but not cut the wire itself. Referring to
Accordingly, this invention now recognizes that there is a need for a wire stripping assembly incorporated into the handle of a screwdriver or other multi-function tool whereby the tool will be effective for its normal uses and operations and includes a wire stripping mechanism that adds very little to the weight and bulkiness of the tool and which facilitates easy and effective stripping of the insulation from a wire while eliminating damages to a core.
The present invention relates to hand tools and more particularly to a wire cutting and stripping tool of improved construction. A wire stripping multi-function hand tool is provided generally for electricians that has a wire stripping system for a hand tool for forming a controlled cut and strip of the insulation from a wire. The tool includes an elongated body member having a longitudinal cavity and a transverse opening therein which communicates with the longitudinal cavity and one end of the body member. A stationary cutting blade is disposed in the inner end of the longitudinal cavity, and a movable cutting blade is movably mounted within an upper end of the longitudinal cavity. A spring is disposed between and engaged with a push button actuator so as to urge the movable blade to an open and retracted position. The wire stripping system is engaged with a handle region of the hand tool, and permits stripping in a direction that is perpendicular a longitudinal axis of the multi-function hand tool. The wire stripping system may be used from either side of the hand tool, and may be provided with a plurality of first and second operably engaged housings for securing a number of tool bit members.
Preferably, a wire stripping tool and kit therefor is disclosed which includes an elongated body member having a longitudinal bore and a transverse opening or bore therein. The transverse opening communicates with the longitudinal through-bore and one end of the body member. A stationary cutting blade is disposed in the inner end of the longitudinal cavity, a movable blade longitudinally movably mounted within the longitudinal cavity. The movable blade is continuous in an overlapping relation with the stationary blade, and an actuator in the form of a push button is connected to the movable blade. A spring is disposed between and engaged with the push button actuator so as to urge the movable blade to an open and retracted position. Preferably the stationary and movable cutting blades have a curved shape to mirror the shape or configuration of a wire to be stripped, and each has a plurality of sizes of curved cutting members thereon for stripping different gauge or size wires.
When in an open or retracted position, the arced or curved areas of the movable and stationary blades define an opening therebetween which is aligned with the transverse opening or bore. A cavity is defined within a central longitudinal region of the tool for defining a guide region for the movable blade. The guide region includes lateral openings the side waifs thereof for allowing the wire to pass therethrough when the movable blade is in an open position. The openings in the side walls are preferably aligned with the transverse bore in the elongated body and the sharpened edges of the movable and stationary blades. The stationary blade is preferably securely fixed in position within the cavity and secured to the inner side walls thereof, and is configured so as to be slightly off set with respect to the movable blade such that when brought together the blades meet to cut into the entire circumference of the wire sheathing but not the wire core in order to strip the sheathing from the wire core.
The wire stripping tool disclosed herein improves on the prior art in a number of ways. Among other things, it is comfortable, inexpensive as compared to traditional wire stripping tools, does not require excessive force to strip wire, readily adaptable to a user's needs, is simple to use, and is configured for multiple size or gauge wires. The invention consists briefly of a multipurpose tool of simple and sturdy construction, and which combines in one tool any of a variety of hand tools, such as a flat head screw driver, a crossed head screw driver, etc., with a wire cutter/stripper and a wire bending and shaping device. The device of the invention accordingly provides a very useful tool and one which not only saves time but saves material as well. Furthermore, utilizing the invention a single tool is provided which enables one to perform the work of three or four or more conventional tools. The invention saves not only time but the expense of providing an assortment of tools.
A multi-function wire stripping hand tool is provided comprising a handle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal cavity therein, the first end having a transverse bore therethrough; a plurality of tool bit members; a coupling member having a proximate end disposed in and extending from the first end of the handle, the coupling member having a distal end for receiving an end of at least one of the plurality of tool bits; and a wire stripping mechanism further comprising an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to the handle; first and second blade members; a spring member disposed between the actuator and the first end, the spring member for urging the second blade member to an open position; and a retaining cap member for securing the actuator and the spring on the first end; wherein first and second blade members are slidably engaged within the cavity upon longitudinal actuation of the actuator to engage a wire and circumferentially sever a sheathing on the wire.
Also provided is a multi-function wire stripping tool comprising an elongated handle member having a longitudinal bore in communication with a transverse bore therein, said longitudinal bore communicating with one end of said handle member; a first cutting blade disposed at an inner end of said longitudinal bore, a second cutting blade longitudinally mounted within said longitudinal bore, said second cutting blade being positioned for an overlapping relation to said first cutting blade; and an actuator connected to said second cutting blade with a spring disposed between said actuator and said handle member for urging said second cutting blade to an open position, said first and second blades each having curved cutting edges defining an opening therebetween aligned with said transverse bore when said second blade is in said open position.
In accordance with the invention, it is also understood that there is a kit for providing a multi-function wire stripping hand tool comprising a hand tool having an elongated handle portion and a coupling member; a plurality of tool members; a storage container having a plurality of cavities for housing said hand tool and said plurality of components; and a wire stripping mechanism comprising an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle; first and second blade members; a spring member disposed between said actuator and said first end; and a retaining cap member for securing said actuator and said spring on said first end; wherein said coupling member is configured for removably receiving at least one of said plurality of tool members.
A wire stripping system in a multi-function hand tool is also provided, which comprises a wire stripping member operably disposed within a first end of a handle of a hand tool; said wire stripping member including an actuator longitudinally positioned with respect to said handle, first and second blade members, a spring member disposed between said actuator and said first end, and a retaining cap member for securing said actuator and said spring on said first end; said handle defining a hand tool axis; tool bit members, each tool bit member being formed with oppositely disposed tool bit ends; a coupling member having a proximate end and a distal end, said coupling member comprising means for removably, non-rotatably, holding said coupling member proximate end in said handle, said coupling member comprises a unitary one-piece first housing having oppositely disposed open ends and two unitary one-piece second housings having oppositely disposed open ends, each of said second housings being slidably non-rotatably received in the respective opposite ends of the first housing, said first tool bit member being slidably disposed in one second housing end, and said second tool bit member being slidably disposed in said other second housing end, whereby each tool bit is alternatively operably disposed in the distal end of said coupling member.
It is an important aspect of the invention to provide a multi-function wire stripping hand tool that minimizes stress on the user's hands thereby preventing injuries or general pain to the user's wrist area as is common with the plier-type stripping tools known in the art.
Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a single tool having the multi-function character described above in a single hand tool wherein parts which accomplish these results are interrelated and which cooperate together as single unitary tool.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described wherein the handle functions to provide various tool members and which may be manipulated in a manner to carry out the several operations as commonly accomplished with the use of several tools or devices.
Still another aspect of my invention is to provide a combination tool of the character described which has particular utility in electronic work as an electrician's multi-function hand tool. The tool in accordance with the invention may be employed efficiently to cut/strip electrical wires, twist, bend and shape the wires in the form of a loop, or the like, and serve as a conventional screw driver, for example.
In another aspect of the present invention, a kit for a multi-function wire stripping hand tool ideal for electricians is provided comprising a hand tool having an elongated handle portion and a coupling member, a plurality of tool members, and a storage container having a plurality of cavities for housing said hand tool and said plurality of components, wherein said coupling member is configured for removably receiving at least one of said plurality of tool members.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a wire stripping assembly incorporated into the handle of a multi-function hand tool whereby the tool will be effective for any of a multitude of normal uses and operations and whereby the wire stripping device adds very little to the weight and bulkiness of the screwdriver.
Another very important aspect of the present invention is to provide a wire stripping device having a stationary and movable arced or curved blades together with an easily accessible actuator or push button member connected with the movable blade whereby accurate pressure may be exerted on the movable blade for determining when the movable blade contacts the metallic wire thus assuring that the wire will not be partially cut through by the blade. Preferably, the movable blade and stationary blade are configured so as to not allow the blades to fully cut the wire, and rather have a plurality of arches or curved blade regions for stripping wires of different sizes or gauges.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wire stripping device disposed longitudinally within the handle of the multi-function hand tool and having outwardly flared openings for guiding the wire into the wire stripping device together with the actuator, where the actuator is spring biased longitudinally to maintain the movable blade in a retracted and open position when not depressed. Optionally, the actuator has a rounded dome-shape, but may also be flat or have bumps or depressions thereon for facilitating operation thereof and without interfering with the normal operation of the multi-function hand tool.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a wire stripping device incorporated into the handle of a multi-function hand tool that is simple in construction, easy to use, effective for its particular purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.
A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated preferred embodiment is merely exemplary of methods, structures and compositions for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings in which:
As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems, compositions and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, below, etc., or motional terms, such as forward, back, sideways, transverse, etc. may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring first to
Turning next to
The wire stripping mechanism within the hand tool 200 preferably includes movable cutting blade 236 and stationary cutting blade 238 positioned longitudinally within cavity 240 so as to be guided longitudinally during use. The transverse opening 224 and 225 communicates with the longitudinal cavity 240 within the body of the handle 202. A stationary cutting blade 238 is disposed in the inner end of the cavity 240, while a movable cutting blade 236 is longitudinally movably mounted with push button actuator 216 at an upper end of the longitudinal cavity 240. The movable blade 236 is continuous in an overlapping relation with the stationary blade 238, and an actuator 216 in the preferred form of a push button is connected or affixed to the movable blade 236.
Referring to
When in an open or retracted position (see
The size of the transverse openings 224, 225 will generally preclude any possible danger of insertion of fingers or the like into the area between the cutting blades 252, 254. However, an outward taper of openings 224, 225 will serve to guide the insulated wire 226 into the area formed by the movable and stationary cutting members 336, 338 as illustrated in
Inasmuch as the cavity 240 need not be the same size throughout its length, the lower portion thereof is only of sufficient size to receive the stationary cutting blade 238 and it is also within the scope of the invention herein to have the stationary blade 238 molded into the handle 202 if made of plastic although the wire stripping mechanism is also adaptable for use with various types of handles. A notch serves to enable movement of the lower recessed end of the actuator 216 during normal operation thereof thus further enabling the longitudinal axis of the actuator 216 to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the movable cutting blade 236 thereby effectively transmitting longitudinal force to the movable cutting blade 236.
Turning next to
It will be understood that tool bits 312 may include additional wire-bending openings 312A, 312B having different diameters to receive different gauge wires accordingly (for example gauges 8, 10, 12 etc.) via such through-holes. In use, the outer profile of tool bit 312 is used to form a curve in an exposed wire portion inserted into a selected wire-bending opening 312 while the hand tool 300 is rotated about its long axis using the outer surface of bit 312 to guide the curve of the wire tail portion. This aids in forming correctly-shaped wire-tip ends for use in wiring. It will be understood that tool bit 312 may be used with any other hand-tool suggested herein, including hand tool 200, as well as alternatively scissor-type hand tools, for example in a slide-out or rotate-out orientation from the end of one handle of a scissor-type hand tool.
It will also be understood, that the present device may be modified for combination with other, alternative hand tools, such as a scissor-action type hand tool without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, a spring-based pressure-wire-stripper similar to those shown herein may be provided on one of the handles of a scissor-type hand tool or multi-tool. So that, upon such a handle, a wire-pulling direction could either be in line with a scissor-handle direction or in a direction generally perpendicular to the scissor-handle direction.
Also in accordance with the present invention, provided is a method for the stripping of insulation or sheathing from a wire while minimizing the stress placed upon a user's hand or wrist during use. Preferably, a first step involves inserting a wire to a desired depth for stripping into a transverse opening in a side of a handle of a hand tool. Once the desired depth of wire has been inserted into the opening, the user depresses a push button actuator at an upper end of the hand tool which in turn urges a curved or arched blade or cutting member downward upon the wire to be stripped. As pressure is placed upon the wire, an opposite side of the wire is further forced downward upon a second curved or arched blade or cutting edge such that the blades pierce an outer sheathing of the wire but not the wire core. While the actuator is depressed, the wire may be removed from the opening and because the sheathing has been circumferentially severed, the sheathing becomes separated from the wire core for the desired depth.
In accordance with the present invention, it is additionally noted that the provided disclosure notes that there is a method of using the device including basic steps of inserting a wire and removing the sheathing therefrom.
In the claims, means or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt's head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures.
Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely exemplary and that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.
Anderson, Wayne, Anderson, Warren
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